Gaura plant named ‘GBAPI01-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Gaura lindheimeri  cultivar named ‘GBAPI01-0’ is disclosed, characterized by exceptionally short plants of very compact habit, stems and foliage flushed with anthocyanin coloration as well as short peduncles and dark pink flowers. The new variety is a  Gaura , and is normally used as an ornamental garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Gaura lindheimeri.

Variety denomination: ‘GBAPI01-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The variety wasdiscovered as a seedling of unknown parentage at a research nursery bythe inventor, Frank Hammond, a citizen of Australia. The new variety wasdiscovered by the inventor November of 2006.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ was first performedby vegetative cutting in Victoria, Australia in July of 2007.‘GBAPI01-0’ has since produced more than 5 generations by vegetativecuttings and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘GBAPI01-0’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘GBAPI01-0’ as a new and distinct Gauralindheimeri cultivar:

-   -   1. Exceptionally short plants.    -   2. Very compact habit.    -   3. Stems and foliage flushed with anthocyanin coloration.    -   4. Short peduncles.    -   5. Dark pink flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ are similar to plants of thecommercial variety, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterfly’ U.S. PlantPat. No. 13,189, in most horticultural characteristics. However, plantsof the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ produces a darker pink colored flowerthan the comparator. In addition to a different flower color, the newcultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ is shorter in height than the comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘GBAPI01-0’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is acommercial 6 inch pot. The plant shown is approximately 12 weeks old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘GBAPI01-0’ plants grown in a commercialcontrolled greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 15° C.to 28° C. during the day and 18° C. to 22° C. at night. No artificiallight, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Gaura lindheimeri ‘GBAPI01-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 15 to 20 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Fibrous, colored near RHS Greyed-Orange 165D.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Very compact, upright perennial.-   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch.-   Height: 25 cm.-   Plant spread: 45 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Basal branching, or nearly at soil level.    Lateral branches produced approximately 2.0 cm above pinch to main    stem. Upper lateral branches not produced.-   Length of primary branches: Approximately 17 cm.-   Diameter of branches: Approximately 0.35 cm.-   Quantity of primary branches: Average 30.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Irregular round, some flat sides.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.        -   Texture.—Scant pubescence.        -   Strength.—Strong, somewhat flexible.-   Internode length: Average 1.8 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 8 fully developed per branch and 12            immature leaves.        -   Average length.—4.5 cm.        -   Average width.—1.1 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Scant pubescence visible under            magnification.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Aspect.—Undulating.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple            187A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B.            Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Green 137C, flushed near base Red-Purple 59B. Venation color            under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.        -   Petiole.—Sessile.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring through Summer.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single zygomorphic flowers    produced on terminal and axillary racemes.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self Cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindric.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 58A.-   Raceme:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 4 cm.        -   Length.—Average 10 cm.        -   Flowers per raceme.—5 to 7.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 3.5 cm.        -   Length.—Average 2.5 cm.-   Corolla/petals:    -   -   Quantity of petals.—4.        -   Arrangement.—Symmetrical whorl.        -   Petal length.—1.9 cm.        -   Petal width.—1.0 cm.        -   Corolla tube length.—1.8 cm.        -   Corolla tube diameter.—0.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Petal apex.—Acute.        -   Petal base.—Attenuate.        -   Petal shape.—Spatulate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Aspect.—Upwardly cupped.        -   Petal color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS            Red-Purple N66A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N66A.            Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Fading: Upper surface:            Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple            N57C.        -   Outer corolla tube color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 58A.        -   Inner corolla tube color.—Near RHS Green 137A with heavy            flush Red-Purple 58A.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—4.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—1.7 cm.        -   Width.—0.3 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Aspect.—Undulating and strongly reflexed back.        -   Color:.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 59C. Lower            Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 7.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A flushed with Red-Purple 58A.        -   Orientation.—Straight, approximately 15 degree angle from            stem.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicel: Not present, directly attached by corolla tube to peduncle.-   Fragrance: Very faint.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—8.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.3 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Orange-White 159A. Quantity: Scant.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—2.5 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 2.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C with            upper portion Red-Purple 67A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Bi lobed. Color: Near RHS Yellow-White 158B.        -   Ovary.—Ovary Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Ovary            Length: Approximately 1 cm. Ovary diameter: Approximately            0.1 cm. Ovary shape: Linear.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures from    approximately −5° to 38° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gaura plant named‘GBAPI01-0’ as herein illustrated and described.